Adam
December 3rd 1996
Adam sat alone in the common room feeling miserable. He was alone because Ginny was in detention and no one else could tolerate him when he was in a foul mood. He was miserable because Ginny was in detention because of him, and his scar had been prickling on and off all for the last two days.
Adam spent most of the evening futilely poking at an essay, attempting to translate his thoughts into legible writing. It wasn't working, so he resigned himself to reading one of his books until Ginny returned.
Ginny returned a couple of hours later. As soon as she stepped in through the portrait hole, Adam noticed immediately that she was cradling her hand.
"Hi," he said as she came and sat down next him.
"Hi," she said in a quiet voice.
"What's the matter with your hand?" Adam demanded.
"Oh, nothing..." she said evasively.
"Come on," Adam coaxed kindly. "Let me take a look."
"No! No!" Ginny exclaimed as she clutched the hand tighter to her chest. "I'm alright!"
Adam moved his hand carefully up her arm until it cradled her hand. Ginny whimpered slightly at his touch as Adam slowly and gently pulled her hand towards him.
What he saw made his blood boil in a way he had never felt before. On her hand was a series of long, raw, scratches as if someone had been scraping away at it.
"Did Umbridge do this?" Adam demanded angrily.
Ginny nodded faintly. "She made me use this Quill..." she said.
"A Quill did this?" Adam asked, appalled. He shot up from his seat feeling incredibly angry that Umbridge had dared to hurt Ginny.
"Adam!" Ginny cried. "Please, no!"
Adam stared at Ginny for a moment, before sinking down into the seat next to her. He put his arm around her and pulled her close.
"What did she do to you?" he asked.
"Just made me write with this Quill. It wrote what I wrote on my hand."
"You can't go again!" Adam exclaimed. "Not if it's hurting you!"
"I need to! Dumbledore isn't here and she won't listen to McGonagall! What can I do?"
Adam paused. "Just don't go!"
Ginny sighed. "It'll only make it worse! I have to go," she trailed off. "I... I didn't want you to worry; you have enough on your plate."
Adam picked up Ginny's hand and examined it.
"It's even done something to the other side... look!" he exclaimed. "It's all red on your palm."
"Oh," was all that Ginny replied. "Adam..." she began. "Can you please just leave it? It's my problem... and I... I just don't want to talk about it anymore."
"Okay," Adam said softly, putting his arm back around her around her.
Adam wasn't going to give up though. He wasn't going to let anyone hurt Ginny, not if he could help it.
Ginny
December 4th 1996
I will not question the Ministry.
I will not question the Ministry.
I will not question the Ministry.
Ginny had written the line that Umbridge had given her three times before she had to stop briefly to let the pain fade. Every time the quill touched the parchment it felt as if an invisible knife was scraping along the back of her hand.
"Continue writing, Miss Weasley," Umbridge said in her horribly sweet voice.
Ginny picked up the Quill with a shaking hand and began to write again.
I will not question the Ministry.
She whimpered in pain as the feeling returned.
I will not...
A loud knock on the door disturbed Ginny from her writing and, before Umbridge could even get to the door, it had burst open.
Ginny swivelled around in her seat and her jaw dropped. Adam was standing in the doorway. What was he doing here?
"Professor Umbridge!" He said in a loud voice. "You can't do this! You can't use a Blood Quill. It's illegal!"
"You dare try and tell me what I can and can't do, boy?" Umbridge demanded in a haughty voice. "I am an official representative of the Minister of Magic."
"But it's illegal!" Adam retorted angrily. "It's torture!"
Ginny kept silent.
"Leave now, Mr. Winters, and I may not give you detention!"
"No!" Adam replied, squaring off to Umbridge.
Ginny watched in shock as Umbridge drew her wand. She was even more shocked when Adam drew his in reply.
"You've just drawn your wand on a Professor! I'll have you expelled for this!"
"Let's go and see the headmaster, then!" Adam challenged.
"He isn't here!" Umbridge said smugly in reply. "And you forget: I'm the High Inquisitor! I can expel you anyway!"
Ginny saw Adam falter for a brief moment.
"You... you can't!" he exclaimed.
Umbridge smirked back at Adam. "I can and I will," she walked over to the Floo and shouted into it. "Minerva, come here, now."
Ginny felt a surge of relief when Professor McGonagall emerged from the fireplace. She quirked an eyebrow as she took in the scene: Ginny sitting at a desk cradling her hand and Adam standing in the doorway with his wand drawn.
"What is it, Dolores?" Professor McGonagall replied formally.
"I am expelling this boy."
Professor McGonagall hesitated, momentarily looking shocked, before schooling her features back into a neutral expression.
"Is that so?" she queried finally.
"Yes, it is so," Umbridge snapped. "I have the authority!"
"Ah, but Dolores, you do not! Even as High Inquisitor you cannot permanently expel a student without the Headmaster's approval," Professor McGonagall replied. "He is not here. When Albus is not here I am Headmistress and I do not give my approval."
"This it outrageous!" Umbridge blustered. "The Minister will hear of this!"
"Dolores," Professor McGonagall continued with a smile. "I will not expel him without hearing the evidence."
"This boy!" Umbridge replied, seemingly jumping on her chance. "Burst into my office with his wand drawn to try to free his girlfriend from a detention!"
"I didn't!" Adam began to exclaim.
"Quiet, Mr. Winters," Professor McGonagall ordered briskly. "Is that it, Dolores?" Professor McGonagall finished.
"Yes, Minerva," Umbridge replied, drawing herself up to her full height. "I trust you can now see my point."
"Very well. I will take these two back to my office. I will question them and let you know in the morning."
"But... but..." Umbridge began to object.
"Surely, Dolores, you would not wish to violate the proper procedures of the school?"
"No," Umbridge replied faintly. She then drew herself up taller and continued stiffly, "Very well, Minerva, I will see you in the morning. I will expect a full report."
Professor McGonagall quickly led Adam and Ginny back to her office, Ginny cradling her injured hand as they walked. Neither Ginny nor Adam said anything on their trip through the corridors.
"Adam, Ginny," Professor McGonagall began, once they had reached her office, "please tell me what really happened."
Ginny opened her mouth to speak, but Adam interrupted her before she could even begin.
"Ginny got a detention in Defence," he reported. "But in the detention Umbridge is making Ginny use a Blood Quill!"
"A Blood Quill!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed. "Ginny, let me see your hand."
Ginny timidly showed Professor McGonagall her hand. When she saw it the Gryffindor Head of House sucked in a breath.
"That...b–" Professor McGonagall paused. "Hm... Adam, you should have brought this to me sooner, instead of trying to act on your own. And while I admire your motives, confronting Professor Umbridge was... an unwise decision," Professor McGonagall paused, "especially without Professor Dumbledore present in the school. Unfortunately, I have only so much influence over that woman, and because of her position within the Ministry, I think I may have used most of that up tonight. However, I will certainly ensure that this is brought to Professor Dumbledore's attention and I will certainly be monitoring who Umbridge has in detention from now on. "
"Err, sorry," Adam said, weakly. "For... you know getting you in trouble."
"Do not worry about it, Adam," Professor McGonagall said. "Now, Ginny, your hand does not seem to be too badly damaged, but do you want me to ask your parents to come?"
Ginny paused for a second, trying to decide what to do, before exclaiming. "No! Please... can we just leave it?" The more fuss that was made about this, the more likely something would happen that might give Adam away.
"Very well," Professor McGonagall replied. "However, I will see both of you tomorrow night for a detention."
Adam nodded meekly. "Thanks, Professor," he paused. "For erm, stopping her expelling me."
"Adam," she said with a smile. "It was a pleasure. Professor Umbridge needed to be taught she is not the boss of this school. Now, go back to your common room."
They left Professor McGonagall's office and Ginny walked sullenly beside Adam back towards Gryffindor Tower.
"Are you alright?" Adam asked as they walked along. "How's your hand?"
"Fine!" Ginny huffed slightly.
"Ginny!" Adam exclaimed. "What's the matter?"
"I told you to leave it!" Ginny exclaimed, her anger causing her voice to rise. "I only had to get through tonight!"
"I-I..." Adam sputtered.
"And now, you've gone and gotten Professor McGonagall in trouble! Us in more detentions! You could have given yourself away! Not to mention how mad Umbridge will be with you!" Ginny shouted. "Did you not think before you acted?"
"Ginny..." Adam stammered, "I..."
"I know you saved me a bit of pain! But at what cost? You ignored me when I specifically told you to leave it alone! It was my problem and I was going to take care of it!" Ginny was practically screaming at him. "THINK! ADAM! JUST THINK BEFORE YOU ACT!"
With that she stormed off and left him the corridor.
December 5th 1996
Ginny felt terribly conflicted when she woke up the next morning. She was still somewhat angry with Adam for thinking he had to protect her, but she also felt incredibly guilty for the way she had treated him. He had only been trying to help, after all.
Ginny trotted down the stairs to the common room, looking about expectantly as she entered. Her shoulders slumped when she discovered Adam wasn't waiting for her so they could go to breakfast together. Now feeling distressed, Ginny made her way down to the Great Hall alone.
She didn't see Adam at all during breakfast; either he had decided to forgo the meal, or he had gone to breakfast early, managed to finish and had left the hall before she reached the table.
With breakfast over, Ginny walked morosely to her first lesson, History of Magic. She sat in the back at an empty desk, hoping that Adam would soon join her. A few minutes before the start of the lesson he slipped in and sat in another desk on his own.
Ginny was hardly able to concentrate throughout the rest of the lesson. She kept stealing side-wise glances at Adam and wondering if she'd spoilt their relationship for ever. Dammit, she thought. How did she miss him so much after only such a short time?
As soon as Professor Binns had finished the lesson, Adam slipped out of the classroom. Ginny hurriedly packed up her things and dashed after him.
"Adam!" she called as she pounded along the corridor. "Adam!"
She finally caught up to him near the Entrance Hall.
"Ginny," Adam said faintly, shuffling awkwardly and trying to look anywhere but at her. "I..."
"Adam..."
They stared at each other in silence for a second.
Ginny flung herself at him, put her arms around his neck and kissed him. With a massive surge of relief she felt his arms finally close around her.
"I'm sorry," Ginny murmured against his shoulder.
"Me, too," Adam said. "I should have just let you sort it out, or at least discussed what I was going to do with you. I just wanted to protect you."
"I know," Ginny said. "And I know you only did it because you care about me. I was absolutely horrible to you last night. I'm so sorry!"
"It's okay," Adam said, suddenly sounding nervous. "We're okay? Right? I was so scared you wouldn't want to see me again..."
"We are," Ginny said with a smile.
Adam seemed to heave a sigh of relief as he grinned back at her. "I missed you... but, we need to get to Charms," he said as they linked arms. "And I wonder what Professor McGonagall has got planned for detention."
Ginny giggled. "Somehow, I don't think it will be too harsh."
Adam
December 11th 1996
Since the escape of the Death Eaters from Azkaban, Adam had been feeling somewhat apprehensive. He knew that they were out to get him and he feared that it would only be a matter of time before something happened. Adam had half expected Professor Dumbledore to insist that he stay at Hogwarts over Christmas, but, much to Adam's relief, so far Professor Dumbledore hadn't said anything about his holiday arrangements. Adam didn't even think he was back in the school yet.
"So, Harry," Hermione said with a wink. "You said you had this one planned?"
"Yes," he continued. "I was thinking that today we just have a recap of what we've covered and perhaps have some mock duels."
"Excellent!" Hermione exclaimed. "The others should be here soon."
A few minutes later, the DA members began filing in through the doors of the Room of Requirement. Ron, Neville and Ginny were among the first to enter. Adam briefly made eye contact with Ginny, but he quickly looked away since neither of them wanted to risk giving anything away.
"Okay, everyone," Adam said, raising his voice to get the members' attention. "I thought, as this is our last meeting until after Christmas, we'd do some revision and then have a bit of fun. I want everyone to pair up and we'll have mock duels. Remember what we've practiced: Disarming, Stunning and shields. But remember! It's better to avoid being hit than using a shield. A shield won't help you against Unforgivables!" Adam finished emphatically, feeling a grin forming on his face. He was really enjoying this teaching lark.
As Adam watched the DA pair up, he focused on Ginny for a second, noticing that she was partnering Neville.
As the students duelled, Adam wandered around the room, offering advice and helping improve technique. He was surprised at the wide range of ability in the group. Ginny was at about the same level as he was, although Adam knew that she held back, so as to not attract suspicion. Adam grinned as he watched her soundly beating Neville, but offering him encouragement and advice at the same time.
Ron and Hermione had both surprised Adam; they were both pretty good and to be honest, their skills were nearly on par with his. Others were also unexpectedly good, such as Cho Chang and, even more surprisingly, Colin Creevey.
Halfway through the session, Adam made everyone swap partners and he did several more circuits of the group. He grinned as he passed Ginny wiping the floor with Cho.
"Harry!" Hermione's voice echoed over the sound of spells. Adam looked over at her and saw her tapping her watch. Oh, they must be out of time.
"Attention, everyone!" Adam announced. "We need to leave it there, but well done everyone. You have all improved dramatically since the beginning of term and after Christmas I hope we'll be able to do some of the big stuff, maybe even Patronuses."
The room was filled with excited murmurings at this.
"But that's it for this term. Well done everyone and ... erm... Happy Christmas!"
The DA members began to file out of the room with shouts of. "Happy Christmas, Harry!"
Adam saw that Ginny was one of the first to leave.
"Hi, mate," Ron said, approaching him. "Can I, erm, have a word?"
"Sure," Adam replied. "What's up?"
"It's nothing major... it's just that, well..." Ron began awkwardly. "I, erm, spotted you looking at my sister, you know, Ginny."
"Oh," Adam said, fighting down a sense of panic. He'd been caught out!
"I just wanted to let you know," Ron began, "that she's taken, and the guy is actually one of my mates, so erm, hands off..."
"Oh," Adam said again, struggling to contain himself at the sudden hilarity of the situation. "I understand," he choked out.
"I'm sorry, mate," Ron replied, looking sympathetic. Adam realised he must he misread his choked response at being upset.
"I appreciate it," Adam replied stiffly. "Thanks."
Ron left the room with Hermione and Adam sank down on the floor of the room and began giggling to himself uncontrollably. Ron's loyalty was actually quite touching. But he couldn't believe that Ron had just warned him off Ginny, because Ginny was going out with, well, him.
Adam couldn't wait to tell Ginny about this.
December 24th 1996
"Bella," he said.
"My Lord," the woman replied.
"They are on their way. Take the others and follow. Crush them when they are weakened," he continued.
"Yes, My Lord."
"Remember, Potter is mine. I want him alive and unharmed."
Adam jerked awake with a sudden cry of pain. He groaned as he sat up and cradled his head in his hands. His scar felt like it was about to split open.
Eventually getting control of himself, he looked frantically around the room, his heart pounding in his chest. Something was about to happen, he was sure of it. Adam looked over at his clock. It was only just approaching midnight, but he felt as if he had been in bed for hours. Adam shook his head trying to remember. Oh, that was right... he had gone to bed early because his scar was stinging and had given him a headache.
It had been a tiring few days for Adam since he returned from Hogwarts. Setting up The Burrow for Christmas had been exhausting, but fun. As soon as they had arrived back at the house, Mrs Weasley had immediately put everyone to work putting up the decorations. As the twins had now moved out, there were fewer hands to do the same amount of decorating. The rest of the family wouldn't arrive until tomorrow. Well, all of them except Percy who had declined the invitation, again, citing work reasons.
The mystery of why Professor Dumbledore had allowed him to return to The Burrow had been solved earlier that day when Remus and Tonks had arrived to join them for Christmas. Adam had enjoyed seeing Remus and Tonks again, but he had noticed that Remus seemed very agitated, he even appeared to have less hair than when Adam saw him last, but when Adam had inquired as to why, Remus wouldn't tell him.
Even though Professor Dumbledore had arranged their visit well in advance, Mrs Weasley hadn't been impressed when she realised they planned on sharing a room. Tonks had managed to rapidly placate her though and the two women had promptly disappeared into the kitchen, with funny expressions on their faces.
As Adam tried to figure out what was happening and what had awoken him, he heard a pop! next to his bed.
"Harry Potter!" A frantic voice called.
"Dobby!" Adam exclaimed, sitting up in bed.
"They're coming!"
"What!"
"Harry Potter must come with Dobby! They are coming for him! Dobby heard them leave the house!"
"No!" Adam exclaimed. "I can't leave the Weasleys."
"But Harry Potter must come. Dobby must help Harry Potter!"
"Dobby, what exactly is going to happen?"
"They are coming for you! They will be here soon!"
"Okay," Adam replied, trying to calm himself. "If you want to help me, go to Professor Dumbledore and tell him what's happening. Get him to bring help!"
"Dobby will do that for Harry Potter!"
Before Dobby had even left the room Adam had grabbed his wand, his warm cloak, that was hanging on the back of the door, and dashed out onto the landing. He jumped a mile when he spotted Ginny already up, wearing only her dressing gown, and staring out of the landing window.
"Something's going on," Ginny said softly as she looked out over the garden. "I think... I think I heard something."
"Yes," Adam replied hurriedly. "The Death Eaters are coming, Dobby warned me."
Ginny gasped.
"Ginny," Adam began. "Go wake your mum, dad, Remus and Tonks. I'm going to see what's going on."
They stared at each other for a split second before Ginny nodded and dashed up the stairs. Adam himself hastened downstairs, tore open the back door and rushed out into the garden, looking around, searching the area for anything suspicious.
The garden was still, there was no wind and the winter's night was cold. Adam shivered. Even with his cloak on he was cold. A rustle from nearby attracted Adam's attention but there was nothing there. Adam shivered again; his teeth were beginning to chatter now.
Suddenly Adam saw them, black cloaked figures approaching across the garden.
A flash of green light crossed his vision and he shivered again.
"Not my son! No! Please no, take me, kill me instead," the woman cried.
Adam shook his head to clear it. Dementors! There were Dementors coming. As Adam watched them approach, lights came on behind him, illuminating the cloaked figures. The lights were now on in the Burrow and so Adam turned, sprinted back to the house and slammed the door after him.
"Adam!" Mr Weasley shouted and he grabbed Adam and pulled him away from the doorway. "Get away from the door!"
"Dementors!" Adam gasped. "Coming towards the house."
"We need to stop them from getting into the house," Remus said from the stairway.
"There must be a hundred of them!" Mr Weasley exclaimed in a panicked voice as he poked his head out of the window. "We don't stand a chance."
"Molly, try to use the Floo to contact Albus. Then get out of here. Arthur, you and I will hold them off for as long as we can. Adam, Ginny, Ron, stay here with Tonks. Once we've gone don't open the door for anything. Understand?" Remus ordered.
"Remus!" Tonks and Adam exclaimed simultaneously.
"No!" Remus replied harshly. "You stay here!"
Adam tensed, ready to argue.
"Let's go, Arthur," Remus said and, before Adam could object further, they'd left through the door.
For the first time since he'd come back inside, Adam glanced around the room. He saw Ginny, Mrs Weasley and Ron standing in one corner of the kitchen looking scared. Tonks was standing in the middle of the kitchen, seeming frozen with indecision.
"Children," Mrs Weasley directed in a tremulous voice. "Go into the living room. I'm going to call for help."
Adam, Ginny and Ron reluctantly made their way into the living room and immediately pressed their faces against the window.
Adam gazed outside trying to make out what was going on out in the garden. The Dementors had frosted up the windows with their icy presence so he could hardly see out, but, eventually, Adam thought he saw flickers of bright light that he thought were Patronuses.
"I can't get through on the Floo," Mrs Weasleys quiet voice, came from the doorway, her voice now trembling even more. "We're trapped."
Adam looked between Mrs Weasley and the window. Outside he saw the flashes of white light decreasing their frequency. They were losing! He looked over to Mrs Weasley, who was still standing at the kitchen door, and then back out of the window. He counted to twenty and didn't see any sign of any Patronuses.
He had to help. The Dementors were here for him. He couldn't let Mr Weasley or Remus risk their lives for him. He couldn't let them die like Sirius had.
Adam clasped he wand tightly, glanced over at Ginny and then sprinted out of the living room door, pushing past Mrs Weasley.
"Adam!" she screamed after him. "Adam!"
Adam dashed through the kitchen. There was no sign of Tonks, so she must have decided to disobey Remus and had gone outside, too. Adam wrenched open the kitchen door and dashed outside, instantly feeling the chill of the Dementors permeating his entire body, forcing him to stop.
"Ginny!" he suddenly heard Mrs Weasley scream.
"Expecto Patronum!" Adam roared, focusing his mind on his happiest memory.
Prongs erupted from his wand, and immediately raced across the garden to tackle the nearest Dementor.
"Expecto Patronum!" Ginny shouted. Her horse soon joined Prongs in driving off the Dementors.
Adam looked around frantically, searching for Mr Weasley, Tonks or Remus. He saw a flash of white off to his right, from the direction of the pond.
"A Patronus!" Adam exclaimed "Follow me!"
Adam and Ginny sprinted across the garden towards the pond. When they reached it they saw Mr Weasley and Tonks standing back to back with two Patronuses, a weasel and a wolf, attempting to hold back the swarm of Dementors that were beginning to surround them.
"Expecto Patronum!" Adam and Ginny cried, nearly simultaneously.
The addition of Prongs and Ginny's horse seemed to spur on the weasel and wolf, and together, the four Patronuses were able to drive back the Dementors bit by bit.
"Adam! Ginny!" Mr Weasley gasped, panting for breath. "I told you to stay inside... and where... how did you learn?"
"No time, Mr. Weasley!" Adam replied. "Where's Remus?"
"I don't know!" Tonks added in frantic tone of voice, interrupting them. "When I arrived here one of the Dementors was trying to get in through one of the bedroom windows on the first floor and he'd gone to stop it."
"He's been gone too long now..." Mr Weasley said hesitantly. "But for now, we're clear of these Dementors so we look for him," Mr Weasley ordered, having now caught his breath. "But you two get back to the house. The Dementors may be back. Make sure they don't get into the house! Ginny, make sure you mother and brother are safe! Adam, you keep Ginny safe!"
"Dad!" Ginny objected.
"GINNY! NOW!" Mr Weasley roared.
Adam froze for a second before grabbing Ginny and beginning to walk rapidly, but reluctantly, back towards The Burrow. If he could convince Ginny to guard the house he could head back out to help find Remus.
Arriving back at the house they first searched the perimeter of The Burrow for any sign of Remus. There was none.
"It's too quiet," Ginny said as they approached the open door to the house. There was no sign of Mrs Weasley or Ron.
Adam gestured to Ginny to wait and he crept forward into the kitchen. Ginny followed a couple of steps behind him and Adam crossed the room and tentatively crept into the living room. Ron was there, slumped on one of the chairs, he almost seemed to be asleep. Something was very wrong here.
Adam crept forward across the room, intending to check if Ron was alright.
"ADAM!" Ginny screamed suddenly.
Without even thinking, Adam dived to his left away from the sofa where Ron was lying.
"Confringo!" Ginny screamed.
Adam landed on the floor and rolled. He saw a flash of a spell out of the corner of his eye, the floor around him exploded and showered him with debris. There was a second soft wet thump, then a giant crash and then everything was still.
Adam stood up slowly and took in his surroundings. There was a giant gash on the floor where he had just been: he had seen a spell strike there. He had been only inches from it.
Ron still lay limply on the sofa. Adam couldn't tell whether he was asleep, Stunned or worse, but he had other things to focus on at the moment.
Ginny was standing in the doorway trembling. She was staring at what appeared to be a cloaked hooded figure lying amongst the ruins of the Christmas tree.
As Adam got back to his feet, he noticed that Ginny's night dress was now stained with patches of blood and she seemed very pale. Crossing the room cautiously with his wand drawn, Adam approached the cloaked figure. As he approached the man, he could see that he was obviously dead. Ginny's, Adam guessed it was Ginny's spell, seemed to have practically exploded his midsection.
"He's dead," Ginny whispered, sounding horrified. "I killed him."
Adam nodded numbly at her. "You saved me."
"I...I..." Ginny began hesitantly. She shook her head, making her hair fan out around her. "Let me check on Ron."
Ginny strode across the room and began examining Ron.
"He's only unconscious, I think," Ginny said, looking worriedly at her brother. "He's got a pretty nasty cut to his head, though."
"Can you wake him?" Adam asked, as he moved to the window and looked outside. He didn't want to be surprised again and he could still see a few flashes coming from the direction of the pond. Mr Weasley and Tonks must have run into some Death Eaters too.
"I can," Ginny said faintly. "But I don't think I should, he might have a head injury."
"I think your Dad and Tonks are fighting outside," Adam said, still staring through the window. As he watched the flashes suddenly grew far brighter and more frequent. Then they stopped. "I'm going to help them. You stay here with Ron," Adam continued, in a slightly panicked voice. Why had they stopped fighting?
"I'm coming with you," Ginny said. "Ron's fine for now."
"Ginny..." Adam began.
"No, Adam. I'm not letting you out of my sight," she said grimly. "I've too much invested in you to let you go off and do something stupid."
"Fine," Adam said, knowing it was useless to argue. "Can you watch my back?"
"Always," Ginny replied with a ghost of a smile.
The two of them crept back out of the house and into the garden.
"Looks clear," Adam commented and pointed in the direction he has seen a flash of light from earlier. "I think your Dad and Tonks are that way."
They began creeping cautiously towards where Adam had seen the spell flashes. Then, as they were moving, a scream echoed through the night.
"Mum!" Ginny cried suddenly, obviously recognising her mum's voice. She tore ahead of Adam and began sprinting towards the sound.
Adam chased after her and they pounded through the garden towards the sound. As they ran the screaming seemed to grow in intensity and then abruptly, it ceased and an eerie silence descended upon them.
Ginny stopped directly in front of Adam and he crashed into the back of her, nearly knocking them both over.
"Mum..." Ginny murmured faintly.
Adam stared. Mrs Weasley was lying flat on her back and from where Adam was standing, she didn't seem to be moving.
Ginny ran forward towards her mother.
"Stay right where you are, little girl," a light sing-song voice called.
Ginny froze and Adam began to move towards her, scanning the surrounds for the source of the voice.
"You, too, Potter," the voice laughed a high-pitched cackling sound. "This is too good: Potter and his little girlfriend right in the palm of my hand. The Dark Lord will be pleased."
Adam crept closer to Ginny and he saw a black-cloaked figure emerge from the shadows. It pulled down its hood revealing a woman. She had a thin, bony face and long black hair. Her eyes seemed to dart between Adam, Ginny and Mrs Weasley. Adam realised with horror that he recognised her: this was Bellatrix Lestrange, the Death Eater that had tortured Neville's parents into insanity.
As she advanced slowly but purposefully towards Mrs Weasley, she laughed again, an insane cackling sound that echoed around and seemed to mock Adam.
"Well, Potter," she said in her mocking sing-song voice. "I'll give you a choice: come with me and I'll let your girlfriend and her blood-traitor mother live. Or..." she giggled. "I can kill them both and take you anyway," she laughed again. "I really don't mind."
"Well, Potter?" another voice, this one male, demanded from behind them. "What will it be?"
"Don't you dare give up," Ginny whispered, in a trembling voice. "They'll probably kill us, and you, anyway!"
"Poor little Potter," Lestrange mocked. "Too afraid to save his friends."
Adam didn't have much choice, despite what Ginny had said, his surrender was the only chance for the others.
"I..." Adam began his voice trembling.
But Ginny didn't let him finish, and for a second everything seemed to slow down. He saw Ginny bring her wand up.
He heard her yell, "Stupefy!" He saw the red ball of light shoot towards Lestrange.
Adam leapt forward, trying to protect Ginny. Almost without thinking he brought up a shield, yelling, "Protego!"
Bellatrix Lestrange moved faster than Adam. In the space of a split second she waved her wand and deflected Ginny's spell and with a second she sent a purple bolt of light back at them. As it impacted his shield, Adam felt a weight on his back which drove him to the floor.
Adam and Ginny landed on the ground in a heap, just as another spell, this time a Stunner, flew over them and sailed harmlessly off across the garden.
"Oh, how delightful!" Lestrange replied with childlike voice. "They want to fight!"
Adam and Ginny helped each other to their feet and stood back to back with Adam facing Lestrange.
Suddenly Lestrange spun around and looked in the opposite direction.
"Lucius!" she shouted. "Over here!"
"Stupefy!" Adam shouted, attempting to take advantage of the distraction.
"Tut, tut," Bellatrix said as she waved her wand and deflected the spell.
Adam could now hear more footsteps on the nearby ground. From the dark two cloaked figures emerged, dragging with them Mr Weasley and Tonks. They were both disarmed and the two Death Eaters held them in a choke hold with wands digging into their throats.
"Dad," Ginny cried.
"Ginny! Adam!" Mr Weasley gasped. He had a streak of blood on his face. Next to him, Tonks looked very pale, but was still struggling ferociously against her captor.
"Well, well," Lestrange cried with mocking glee. "A family reunion. Lucius," she said, her voice turning serious. "Where's Greyback?"
"He was poking around in the house," the cloaked Death Eater, who must have been Lucius Malfoy, answered with a shrug.
"Well, Arthur," Lestrange taunted. "We want the boy. Give us the boy and we may let your family live."
"He," Mr Weasley gasped, "is family."
"Now, now, Arthur. A boy for the lives of your wife and daughter, isn't that a fair trade?"
Mr Weasley spat at her.
Adam stared at Bellatrix with, feeling a cold fury at this woman, who was so obviously playing with them.
"I won't give him up!" he spat.
"Oh," Lestrange said. "How sad. Oh..." she exclaimed, putting on a childlike voice. "She's coming round! Then, perhaps I can persuade you a different way. Crucio!"
As Lestrange cast the spell, Mrs Weasley began to scream again. Adam felt a cold fury build inside him. He knew how that spell felt! No one should ever have to go through that. Not because of him and not because Bellatrix Lestrange wanted to play.
"MOLLY!" cried Mr Weasley in a voice filled with terror and helplessness.
Adam heard Ginny whimper in distress at the sound of her mother's cries, but she didn't flinch. She couldn't turn her back on the male Death Eater, not even for a second.
"LEAVE HER ALONE!" Adam roared. "STUPEFY!"
With an almost disinterested wave of her wand, Bellatrix Lestrange deflected his spell. She was too good; he couldn't get through her shield. She laughed again. "Opps! Crucio."
Mrs Weasley screamed and writhed on the floor.
Adam saw red. "Crucio!" He roared in response.
Adam watched in horror as the spell sailed through the air and hit Lestrange, who fell to the ground with a strangled scream.
A moment later, the Death Eaters moved and Adam saw spells beginning to fly in his and Ginny's direction.
"Protego!" Adam shouted, getting himself back under control. "Stupefy, Stupefy!"
He heard Ginny frantically casting spells from behind him. He charged forward, casting several Stunners at the Death Eater that currently held Mr Weasley. All of which were easily deflected.
"Protego!" Adam cast again, as several red spells brought down his previous shield.
The spells were flying from all sides. Adam could no longer make out who was firing at whom. He saw one Death Eater lying on the ground, but wasn't sure who had knocked him down. He saw Ginny fighting with another Death Eater, and Adam fired a couple of Stunners towards him, hoping to give Ginny an edge.
Then a purple spell exploded onto his shield, bringing it down. Another one flew at him, close to the ground. Adam jumped to avoid it, but the spell hit the ground just below him, causing the earth to billow and explode upwards. He had managed to avoid the spell itself, but the explosive force of it pitched him upside down in the air. Then suddenly the ground was rushing up towards him and Adam hit it with a thump.
The next thing Adam knew, he was being pulled roughly to his feet and felt a wand being pressed into his neck.
"Well, was that your first Unforgivable?" Lestrange said as she wrapped her arm around Adam's neck. "I think it was!" she cried with glee. "You see, you need to mean them!"
Once Bellatrix had pulled him to his feet, he saw a scene of carnage around him.
"Ginny!" He cried in a terrified voice.
Ginny was lying crumpled on the ground about twenty feet from him.
"Ginny!" Adam screamed, making his voice horse. She didn't move.
"She's dead!" Bellatrix cackled with glee. "He's lost his girlfriend! I've killed his girlfriend!"
"No!" Adam cried and he fought desperately against Lestrange. "Ginny! Ginny! Ginny! Giiiinnny!"
"Lucius, Avery, wake MacNair and let's get out of here," Bellatrix commanded, her voice turning once again serious.
"What about these three?" Lucius asked, pointing his wand at Tonks and Mr and Mrs Weasley, who where being held at wand point. Mr Weasley and Tonks, were both covered in dirt and blood, looking very pale, and were staring with hatred at their captors. Mrs Weasley was still lying on the ground and was no longer moving. Adam even thought he saw Mr Weasley's mouth moving, but he couldn't hear his voice.
Then, without warning, Adam felt as if a strong invisible hand had grabbed him and started to pull him away from Lestrange.
"What!" She screamed suddenly. "Dumbledore!"
As Adam sailed towards an unknown destination, spells began to fill the sky again and he saw the Death Eaters scatter and begin frantically deflecting spells.
Adam landed softly on the ground and he immediately shot to his feet. He had to get to Ginny! A strong hand pulled him back and he fell backwards.
It was Professor Dumbledore.
"Ginny!" Adam cried desperately. "I have to get to Ginny! She can't be dead!"
Adam tried to climb to his feet, but once again Professor Dumbledore held him back. "Nooo!" Adam cried. "Ginny!"
He felt something being pressed into his hand and then a tugging sensation carried him away from the battle and away from Ginny.